It seems this year has been absolutely wonderful for the butterflies of Queensland. Over the last several days the air has been full of them – particularly at the beach. Yes, the beach, coming in from the sea with the strong north wind. Yes, north wind. Hervey Bay is on the east coast, but our beach faces north. It’s a little kink on the coastline. And the butterflies must have been coming from Fraser Island. And why not? If our local fruit bats can get over to Fraser to forage, why not traffic the other way? Years ago we saw butterflies crossing from the mainland to Brampton Island – which is a long way. Butterflies must be stronger than we think. In fact, some migrate long distances. The American Monarch is one such – but only the fourth generation migrates. Read the story here.
Anyway, back to our butterflies. It’s not just our patch of the state – the phenomenon was reported on the evening news. Needless to say, I had my camera with me, so of course I tried to take some photos. None of them would win a prize, but it’s pretty hard to get a picture of a tiny creature whirring past with a stiff breeze up its tail shaft.
In other news, it seems Trump is now president-elect in America. I’ll say no more, but ask you to read this fairly short and erudite essay. I have a BA(Hons) in history. I would say the gentleman’s conclusions are accurate. But the future is unknown. Maybe we’ll be invaded by aliens.
CHARLOTTE DELLA VEDOVA
That article about Trump etc is truly scary. It has a feeling of inevitability about it that cuts us off at the ankles. Plays right to my doomsday packer childhood with whose finger is on the button…now we know whose 🙁 . Off to stock up with essentials – again.
Greta
The future is not cast in concrete. Maybe Trump can make it work. I hope, for the sake of the world, that he can. We’ll see.
Julia Barrett
Once upon a time we were camping. My six year old said, “Look mommy, a ladybug.” Yes, indeed, a single ladybug. And then appeared thousands upon thousands of ladybugs. Clouds of ladybugs. Millions of ladybugs. As much as we love ladybugs, we were forced to retreat inside the tent for hours until they’d all passed!
Greta
There were millions of butterflies, but there was plenty of space between them. I would have retreated to a tent in your situation, too. Much as I like lady bugs 🙂